Opting out of my child's school's mandatory uniform policy?

Question

IF YOU ARE IN FAVOR OF SCHOOL UNIFORMS, THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO YOU, PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE A COMMENT. IT IS AGAINST THE YAHOO ANSWERS RULES TO GIVE YOUR OPINION OR COMMENT IN LIEU OF AN ANSWER. YOU WILL BE REPORTED. I am having trouble with my daughter's elementary school and thier mandatory uniform policy. Last year, I was able to sign the waiver to opt-out of it, and we had no further problems. This year, however, they are really hassling me. They are saying they are going to transfer her to a different school that does'nt have uniforms, or that they will make her change, but that is not acceptable to me, and it is illegal in California. I need to know, from parents that have dealt with this issue, or from kids whose parents had the same problems, or from anyone else that has knowledge of this situation, any tips or advice on what to do next. I live in California.

Yes, of course this is a public school.According to several laws that have been passed in California, they have to give parents the option to opt out of the mandatory uniform policy, and they are in violation of the law. And, again, I am not seeking to debate this issue. I just want an answer to my QUESTION, nothing more, nothing less. Please do not spam. Thanks.

http://mes.ca.campusgrid.net/home/For+Parents/Uniforms

Thank you for proving how messed-up the public schools are nowadays. If the teachers can't even spell correctly and don't understand proper sentence structure, maybe that is why the are having difficulty reading the law and understanding it. Thanks!

Answer 1

Your school has a mandatory policy for uniforms, but state law requires parents an opt out?

This is what I found out on the site listed below regarding mandatory school uniforms-

When a mandatory school uniform policy is adopted, determine whether to have an "opt out" provision
In most cases, school districts with mandatory policies allow students, normally with parental consent, to "opt out" of the school uniform requirements.

Some schools have determined, however, that a mandatory policy with no "opt out" provision is necessary to address a disruptive atmosphere. A Phoenix, Arizona school, for example, adopted a mandatory policy requiring students to wear school uniforms, or in the alternative attend another public school. That Phoenix school uniform policy was recently upheld by a state trial court in Arizona. Note that in the absence of a finding that disruption of the learning environment has reached a point that other lesser measures have been or would be ineffective, a mandatory school uniform policy without an "opt out" provision could be vulnerable to legal challenge.

- The most important phrase is the last 'could be vulnerable to a legal challenge. If they have an opt out in place and they are threatening to transfer your child, make her change her clothes or harrassing you, contact a lawyer or at the very least, tell them you're contacting a lawyer. If the school has no serious problems and your child has no serious behavioral issues, they are treading heavily on your parental rights and both you and your child's contitutional rights. Go get them, mom!

Answer 2

This is an old thread, but to set the record straight, California law (section 35183) in fact does require that schools that pass uniform policies allow a parent to opt their child out of it. Additionally, a student whose parents opt out of the uniform policy are not allowed to be penalized or otherwise discriminated against under the same statute. Effectively, a "mandatory" uniform policy is illegal in California, because state law REQUIRES an opt-out provision.

As far as threatening to transfer the student, Long Beach s school district settled a case with the ACLU over transfers, but the gist is that basically the school is not allowed to transfer the kids as it would be considered a discriminating reprisal to the student whose parents opted out of the policy.

Answer 3

If it's mandatory, why do parents have the option of not abiding by the dress code? I'm confused by this. The situation is very strange. But, if you signed the waiver that the school provided THIS year, then it would seem that the school has no grounds for hassling you or threatening to transfer your child to another school. I would contact an attorney and talk it over with them. Or, just put your kid in the uniform and be done with it. The uniform would make getting ready for school in the morning much more simple I would think.

Answer 4

I can see pros and cons with school uniforms so I am not strongly in favor of one way or the other. What strikes me with your question is how adamant you are about a school policy that does not affect you or your daughter's education. Children generally do not like to stand out or be different from their peers. How does your daughter feel about being the only one or one of a few classmates who do not wear uniforms to school? I think what you may want to do next is step back slightly from this issue and look at how your daughter is being affected. There are many rules to be followed in our lives. We don't like alot of them, but as responsible adults we follow them. Consider what lesson you are teaching your daughter in this situation. The policy seems to be clear that uniforms are mandatory. You are in a unique position to be able to choose educational options for your daughter. If the setting she is in now isn't working for your family, there are other options to be explored. Teachers and administrators often find it very frustrating to spend so much time dealing with parents over inconsequential issues that take time away from their true passion of teaching children.

Answer 5

First of all, you can't report someone just because they don't agree with you. If their answer is in direct line with your question, then there's nothing to report. Just because you don't agree with it, doesn't make it an opinion, especially if it answers your question. That said.....

What are you trying to teach your daughter?? Rules are rules. My daughter changed schools this year and her new school wears uniforms. She loves it and so do I. In uniform, everyone is equal....nobody is dressed better than the other. There's also no mini skirts showing girls butts and no pants with the waste around the butt of boys. Uniforms are also less expensive and easier to maintain. So why fight it?? It's what works best for that school and you don't have the option to try to change that. If you insist on her being the best dressed, then you need to just transfer schools. It seems you're the only one having an issue with this. However, I suggest you quit bucking the rules and teach her that that's how things are supposed to be.

Answer 6

Is this a private school or a public school? If it is a private school, I'm not sure if you can get out of it. If it is a public school, I wonder if contacting the ACLU would help? I don't know! Was this a new policy last year that they had uniforms or did you know going into this school that they had them? I've never heard of "opting out" of wearing a uniform before. I'll be interested to hear how this turns out for you.

Answer 7

I'm on your side with this. I had uniforms in school and it made things horrible. They had the opt out option but it still kept clothing options limited. It turned really bad though. After a year and a half the students rioted. The highschool students and middleschool refused to enter school in uniforms. They kept wearing normal clothes and being sent home until most students just didn't show up. The parents and students would not put up with it. And honestly it did not help at all in disruptive behavior, maybe for elementary but not older kids. We had more fights then before uniforms to the point where police had to be waiting in the morning everyday. Kids still got made fun of aswell. We may have all looked generally alike but we still had different clothing. Kids started getting teased for older clothes or what brand their uniform was. Alot of kids couldn't afford nice looking uniforms and the kids who could were not going to shop other than their regular stores. At the end only our elementaries have uniforms now because they are the only ones they can control without violence. Uniforms are completely unneeded and can provoke alot of people.

Answer 8

Im not sure. if it is mandatory, then you cant (shouldnt) have the option of doing it or not doing it. Was it a pilot program last year that they tested and then made effective as of this school year?

Check this artical for your area
http://www.thedesertsun.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051215/NEWS10/512150327/1024

Would it be that they eliminated the parental exemption to ("opt-out") which had been in place since uniforms were implemented?


Edited to add... Since i am getting thumbs downs i might as well really lay it all out. and since i have answered your question, then i can do that and still be in accordance!

What are you teaching your daughter? That she can be exempt from following the rules. What the school is doing is preparing your child for the future. For work. For how to dress and appear in public. They are preparing her for life. You can't teach her that rules are ment to be followed by everyone BUT her.

Get a grip on reality or start to home school her. RULES ARE RULES!

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Edited again to add: If you know it is the law, if you know that they are flat out wrong, get you a bomb azz lawyer and SUE... GET OVER IT!

You posted your link with your proof... GET OFF THE INTERNET AND TAKE TO THE SCHOOLS. You already had your answer! You already know what needs to be done. Are you happy now that you have gotten your attention for the day?

Answer 9

(Edited at the end)

You can report me all you want--I'm a Teacher in public schools and school uniforms are truly best for students in schools today. And last time I checked, free speech was protected under the US Constitution.

I soppose you are wrapped up in this materialistic culture and perhaps you drive a BMW, live in a million dollar home, and you want your daughter to be a walking advertisement of all your material wealth. That is teaching her The Wrong Values. Let your daughter enjoy being a kid, instead of worrying about designer jeans and jewelry...You are also sending a very offensive message to her classmates that your daughter is "too good" to wear a uniform, and you are causing class disruptions by forcing the other children to take notice of all your daughters clothes that you want so badly to brag about.

If you insist upon your daughter not wearing her uniform, then you need to transfer her to a rich Beverley Hills school that will accpet her. ...But I warn you that you had better stay up to date in the latest fashion trends and designer labels, or your daughter will soon become an unpopular, uncool outcast--and your daughter will be very hurt, since you are teaching her that her main value comes from material things.

You are the parent and you can do what you wish--but you better hire a lawyer. Kudos for the school for not allowing a parent to push them around and "harrass" other students by causing divisions and class disruptions.

Take your kid elsewhere and quit being a thorn in their side.
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PS--IF YOU ARE MORE EDUCATED THAN US TEACHERS--- DO US A FAVOR AND HOMESCHOOL YOUR KID......since it's obvious from your rantings that you can't Afford Private School

Peace

Answer 10

If you don't agree with uniforms then you should change schools. They will probably win the battle. You can't force their policy because they are the ones that control the rules. Switch schools instead of fighting to be right. It isn't worth it to take on such a battle. And what is important is your daughter's education, not her clothing.